While we regularly sample all our Michter’s barrels to see how our whiskey is aging, we pay even extra special attention to our barrels once they are over 17 years old. At Michter’s we consider 17 to 20 years the “Fork In The Road Point” when certain barrels of whiskey can achieve an extraordinary level of quality. It is these particular barrels that our Master Distiller Willie Pratt personally selects for our very limited bottling of Michter’s 20 Year Single Barrel Kentucky Straight Bourbon.
Introduced to great acclaim in the Fall of 2014, Michter’s Toasted Barrel Finish Bourbon is a groundbreaking whiskey expression. It is made by taking Michter’s US 1 Kentucky Straight Bourbon and then aging it for an additional period in a second custom made barrel. This second barrel is assembled from 18-month air dried wood and then toasted but not charred. The truly unique and delicious taste of Michter’s US 1 Toasted Barrel Finish Bourbon represents a remarkable achievement given that it is Kentucky Straight Bourbon with nothing extra added or done except placement in a second toasted barrel.
Pennsylvania distilled his first batch of whiskey from hardy rye. Michter's has continued this distilling tradition by releasing an impressive selection of high quality, limited production whiskeys including single barrel rye, very small batch bourbon, single barrel bourbon and very small batch unblended American whiskey. Once Michter's most popular release, Michter's Original Sour Mash Whiskey was discontinued in 1989 and disappeared from the marketplace. However, to the delight of Michter's fans everywhere, the distillery has recreated this limited edition expression in accordance with the traditional sour mash process. A complex nose of dried fruit, pine needles, herbal tea and peppery spice is followed by an earthy, herbaceous palate accented by hints of caramel, roasted coffee, vanilla and oak on the finish.
Mature in age and truly exceptional in quality, Michter’s 10 Year Single Barrel Kentucky Straight Bourbon has earned its place as an enduring favorite of the most discerning whiskey connoisseurs. The “Best American Whiskey” according to Food & Wine magazine, our 10 Year Single Barrel Bourbon represents the culmination of over a decade of patient aging in our specially chosen, new charred American white oak barrels.
Michter’s US-1 Bourbon is made from a carefully selected mashbill that features the highest quality American corn. It is then matured to the peak of perfection, with barrels often aging in excess of eight years. Truly “small batch,” each batch of our US*1 Bourbon is typically composed of no more than two dozen barrels, leaving no margin for “blending out” imperfection and thus necessitating excellence from every barrel. Reflecting the spirit of the Bluegrass State, Michter’s US*1 Bourbon is nuanced, mellow, and earthy.
Since the 1990's, the Michter's team has been doing pioneering work to re-establish the high quality American Rye whiskey category. The May 2015 inaugural release of Michter's US 1 Barrel Strength Rye marks yet another milestone in that quest. For maturation, the Rye distillate is entered into the barrel at 103 proof, rather than a more industry standard higher proof. Barrel entry at a lower proof of 103 rather than a higher proof costs Michter's more money in terms of barrels and warehousing, but we believe it yields a richer, smoother, more full-bodied whiskey after proper maturation. A single barrel product, each barrel of Michter's US 1 Barrel Strength Kentucky Straight Rye is bottled at its particular alcohol level at the time of bottling. The majority of barrels in the inaugural release range from 108 to 110.8 proof. To savor it is a unique experience for anyone who enjoys Rye whiskey.
While the Michter's team distills according to tried and true Kentucky practices, it continually experiments as it pursues the goal of making the greatest American whiskeys. Following years of research on different barrel finishes, the Michter's US*1 Toasted Barrel Rye is here. The Michter's Straight Rye is taken at barrel strength and aged for an additional period in a second custom barrel. This second barrel is assembled from 24 month air dried wood and then toasted by not charred. The result is a unique Rye whiskey. The strength of the majority of barrels selected for this first release ranges in proof from 107 to 111.8 proof.
One of our most limited production items, Michter’s 10 Year Single Barrel Kentucky Straight Rye continues the legacy of America’s first whiskey variety (rye) from America’s first whiskey company (Michter’s, originally known as Shenk’s). After a nearly three year absence from the market, Master Distiller Willie Pratt finally gave the green light for the re-release of Michter’s 10 Year Straight Rye in April 2014.